Sin is a terrible paralysis, which makes us unable to move

Gospel Thoughts

*First Week : Friday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 2:1-12*

*First Reading - Heb 4:1-5, 11*

*Sin is a terrible paralysis, which makes us unable to move*

*1) The Paralytic was brought to Jesus*

The Gospel gives us an account, about a paralytic man.

This paralytic was brought to Jesus by few of his friends and he was lowered through the roof, where Jesus was. 

The Gospel does not tell the cause of his paralysis. But as we go through the event, we come to know, apart from the physical reasons, there was also a spiritual cause, which made the man paralytic.

*2) Jesus first words : Your sins are Forgiven*

As soon as the paralytic was brought to Jesus for healing Jesus says *Child, your sins are forgiven*

This makes us to conclude that sins are also one of the main causes for his paralysis 

So sin makes a person paralysed and such a person is unable to move. 

*3) After forgiving the sins, the man is able to walk*

As soon as Jesus forgives his sins, he is able to get up and walk 

Jesus says *I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home. He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone* 

This shows that the man was able to walk when he was forgiven and sin does not allow the person to walk

 

*4) If sin also causes paralysis, it also affects me*

All of us commit sins. Since we are all weak human human beings we fall 

But we need to remember that sin is a type paralysis, which affects us very much 

Therefore all of us should be careful not to entertain sin so that we can save ourselves from great paralysis. 

*5) The nature of the paralysis of Sin*

When we comit sins it affects us and we are paralysed. This paralysis can be explained in the following way 

Sin, paralysis our Love 

Sin, paralysis our Forgiveness

Sin paralysis our humility

Sin paralysis our sincerity

Sin paralysis our courage 

Sin paralysis our hope

Sin paralysis our spirit of being truthful 

Sin paralysis our trust, confidence, cooperation, belongingness, belief, and all the divine values and virtues 

*6) Which sin is paralysing me today?*

We need to think about it

Pride, anger, jealousy, revenge, selfishness, greed for wealth, money, power, pleasure, worldly things

Which of these sins are paralysing me? 

*7) Jesus is the Healer of all types of paralysis*

The paralytic was brought to Jesus by four men 

There are many things which bring us to Jesus, who heals our paralysis 

For example, confessions, prayers, celebration of the sacraments, service, reading of the scriptures are some of the powerful things, which practically carry us, along with our mat to Jesus 

When we are with Jesus, all types of paralysis are healed by Jesus 

The question is *Do I allow myself to be carried along with the mat, to Jesus?*

Think about this 

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*